UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava makes plans for 2027 known

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava makes plans for 2027 known

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 29, 2026 10:13 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins are going to get quarterback Nico Iamaleava back for the 2027 season.

This is huge news for head coach Bob Chesney and his Bruins, who are in the midst of an epic 7-0 season that has seen them win several games without the former 5-star quarterback.

Iamaleava has been out since Oct. 10 when he suffered a torn ACL against then-No. 13 Oregon.

He helped UCLA get to 5-0, and now Pete Nakos of On3 is reporting that Iamaleava will be coming back to UCLA in 2027 to try to help the Bruins in what they're hoping is year two of the Chesney era.

Iamaleava could have considered entering his name into the 2027 NFL Draft, but he clearly feels he still has something to prove at the college level and more tape to put out on film.

Nico Iamaleava is repped by @RudyCaamano of @AiC_Athletes https://t.co/d8IStqGs1P
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) October 29, 2026

On Thursday, in his first public comments since the injury, Iamaleava confirmed what we've known for a while...that his season is officially over.

"Well, I'm heartbroken the way my season ended. I've finally accepted that this year is really over for me," he wrote on Instagram (h/t On3). "This wasn't a part of the plan, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I gave this game and my brothers everything I had and I'll continue to lean on God and trust His plan. I'll be back."

Nico Iamaleava to come back to UCLA in 2027

A prolific dual-threat quarterback, Iamaleava threw for 982 yards and four touchdowns (with four interceptions) while rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown in five games this season.

He's a former 5-star recruit, ranked as the No. 2 overall quarterback in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Iamaleava committed to Tennessee out of high school and played two seasons for the Vols before becoming one of the first major quarterback transfers of the NIL and transfer portal era.

He reportedly left Tennessee for UCLA due to a dispute over NIL money.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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